Make a Road Trip Close to Home to Middletown magical with horse-drawn carriage rides at Celtic Valley Carriage & Farm.

When you reserve a ride, owner and experienced driver Alanna Bodman will lead you through the city's scenic scapes.

"Carriage rides are wonderful because they are really for absolutely everybody," Bodman said, "it's relaxing, it's peaceful, it gets you back in touch with nature."

It's one of many experiences that visitors can sign up for, from parties and art classes to horseback riding lessons and more.

Riding lessons can teach beyond the skill because the horses will show students different perspectives of life, communication, and most importantly, empathy.

"You're learning to ride from their point of view so the two of you develop that third language, which is a combination of how the horse was trained by a competent trainer, what cues he understands, how he responds and how you respond to him," collaborator Francine Levy said.

It's like a delicate dance of nonverbal dialogue paired with newfound friendship.

"We encourage interaction," Levy said, "just being in the presence, just grooming calms people, connects them, centers them and takes them outside their heads."

Wrap up your adventures on the farm with their playful goats and loving donkey.

They're among the more than two dozen animals that visitors can meet.

"The best thing is that we can share our love for our animals with the public," Bodman said.

The farm is embedded within its community, often partnering for local events.

To learn more about Celtic Valley Carriage & Farm, click here.